Rob Roy out to bounce back against Beith

Ian MacLean

Rob Roy go into Saturday’s match with Beith at Guy’s Meadow in the unusual position of looking to bounce back after a defeat.

After 14 straight successes since the start of the season - 13 regulation victories plus a cup final penalty shoot out win - Rabs finally lost on Saturday when they went down 1-0 at Troon.

Now manager Stewart Maxwell is looking to see how his side react to their first setback of the season - and admitted games don’t come much tougher than a clash with the reigning Scottish Junior Cup holders.

Beith have lost just once in 12 junior league and cup games this season and are also through to the third round of the senior Scottish Cup.

Maxwell said: “We’re looking to see how the boys bounce back but we know this would be just as tough a match if we were still undefeated.

“In a way it’s a good game to have because they are a top side and the boys know nothing but their best will be good enough.

“I thought we deserved a point at Troon. We lost a silly goal but hit the bar, had a couple of cleared off the line and had two stonewall penalties not given.

“Generally I was pleased with the performance, it was just one of those days.

“But in a realistic world you are going to suffer your first defeat sometime and it’s all about the Beith game now.

“We want to show we can mix it with the big boys. We’ve done it in the past in matches but now we want to show we can do it on a consistent basis.”